Election results

Oklahoma State Question 733

Result

Votes

Percentage

aYes

461,615

52.52%

No

417,377

47.48%

Text of measure

The official ballot summary said:

"This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It amends Article 28. This Article deals with sales of alcoholic beverages. Section 6 of article 28 bans the sale of alcoholic beverages by package stores on certain days. Package store sales of these beverages are prohibited on election days while the polls are open. This measure would remove the ban on sales on election days. If this measure passes, package stores could sell alcoholic beverages on election days."[1]

Support

Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Del City, wrote the bill that would change the law. He said the current ban is a relic from the days of the Wild West, when candidates and their supporters would pack local saloons.

Rick Lyke, of the very popular Lyke 2 Drink blog, seems to have summed up his opinion of this measure fairly nicely:

Back in the old days before politicians were slickly packaged and spent millions of dollars on massive television advertising campaigns attacking their opponents they used to get out and mix with the people. One way they found to turn out the vote was to buy a few drinks. You can say what you want about this type of electioneering, but the truth is that some of my long dead relatives likely got more satisfaction out of their vote than I have seen for many of mine.

Question 733 will mean that citizens in the state will be able to walk into a retail store on future election days and purchase alcohol. In 1984, Oklahoma finally allowed liquor by the drink. About half the counties in the state now allow this novel idea. So, while you could not walk into a store and buy a bottle on Nov. 7th, you are able in many parts of the state to park yourself at a bar and wait to see if your Congressman, state Representative or county Legislator shows up looking to curry favor.[2]